scottsdale-independent logo
Log in
A rendering of Museum Square in Scottsdale.
BUSINESS
Developer behind proposed Museum Square files complaint against Scottsdale HOA
Desert Canyon Middle School theater students performed “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” last year.
EDUCATION
Desert Canyon students take theater to the next level
“Ten Perfect Guests,” by Jonathan Santlofer
Entertainment
Scottsdale’s The Poisoned Pen welcomes book lovers
(MetroCreative Connection)
DATA DRIVEN
Phoenix among best markets for small business expansion
“Way of the Wild, 1832” depicts a lone hunter standing tall and confident with his gaze directed into the distance.
ENTERTAINMENT
New monument to go on display in front of Western Spirit
A Southwest Airlines plane takes off from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Oct. 3, 2025.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to add seven new routes

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is planning seven new airline routes, with some starting as soon as next month. Edmonton, Canada Porter Airlines Begins in November …
Arizona educator disciplinary cases have more than doubled since 2022, but state officials say expanded oversight, additional investigators and efforts to clear a backlog, rather than a documented surge in misconduct, are driving much of the increase.

Arizona educator discipline cases surge as state clears backlog

Arizona educator disciplinary cases have more than doubled since 2022, but state officials say expanded oversight, additional investigators and efforts to clear a backlog, rather than a documented surge in misconduct, are driving much of the increase.
Cheba Hut “Toasted” Subs markets itself as a marijuana themed restaurant.

Cheba Hut sandwich shop to open in south Scottsdale

Cheba Hut “Toasted” Subs is opening a store at 2200 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 110 on Oct. 26. The location is the 13th Cheba Hut in the Valley area and the latest milestone for franchise …
City Council’s entrance fee cut for the new roundhouse play facility at McCormick Stillman Railroad Park this summer resulted in the facility loosing almost $51,000.

Scottsdale’s new roundhouse play facility at railroad park running in the red

The Scottsdale City Council cut the admission rate to the new McCormick Stillman Railroad Park roundhouse play facility in half and it bled red all summer long, according to a memo by Scottsdale City …
Proceeds from the Run the Runway event at the Scottsdale Airport benefit nonprofits Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial and Opportunity 4 Kids.

Run the Runway returns to Scottsdale Airport Oct. 25

Runners and families can race along Scottsdale Airport’s taxiways and ramp when Run the Runway returns Sunday, Oct. 25. Presented by Volanti and PHX Run Club, the event features a 5K open to …
View all
Local Business directory
Arizona Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland, top, is congratulated by teammates after kicking the game winning field goal against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026.
Sports

Cardinals stun rival Rams on walk off field goal 18-16

NFL teams don’t typically win games exclusively scoring points via the field goal, but that’s exactly what the Arizona Cardinals (2-4) just did, as they took down the Super Bowl favorite and …
Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Mike LaFleur speaks to the media following a preseason to the Dallas Cowboys.
Cardinals Notebook

Nearly a third through, Cardinals season hangs in the balance

The Arizona Cardinals are through roughly a third of their games and, sitting at 1-4, are also a third of the way towards their preseason projected win total of 3.5, according to DraftKings. The …
RESCUE

Cactus strikes hiker on head along Scottsdale trail

Two fire departments responded Saturday morning after a woman was struck in the head by a cactus as she was hiking along Bell Pass Trail in Scottsdale, authorities said. Scottsdale Fire …
One of Better Together’s signs attacking city council candidate Barry Graham along with one of Graham’s signs claiming Better Together is funded by taser maker company Axon.
Community News

Size of financial disclosure on Better Together PAC signs looked at by state

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office is reviewing a complaint regarding the financial disclosures on campaign signs posted by the Better Together political action committee. At the heart of …
Gas prices are seen at the Circle K located at 59th Avenue and Olive Road on Oct. 16, 2026. While the national average remains at record highs, the price of gas in the Valley fell 9 cents a gallon this week according to AAA Arizona.
GAS

See the cheapest gas in Scottsdale

Despite the continued volatility in the crude oil market, gas prices dropped 9 cents this week in the Valley according to AAA Arizona.

Read more

The latest edition of the Scottsdale Independent

The latest issue of the Scottsdale Independent pdf eedition

The latest issue of the Scottsdale Independent

View this issue

Browse other issues

The latest edition of the Scottsdale North News

The latest issue of Scottsdale North News pdf eedition

The latest issue of Scottsdale North News

View this issue

Browse other issues

Scottsdale Opinions with Civility
Photo Caption

The Scottsdale Unified bond provides vital infrastructure

OPINION — We proudly support the 2025 Scottsdale Unified School District bond plan because it directly funds essential infrastructure, such as modernizing schools, technology servers, plumbing and …
Photo Caption

Zubia’s stance on Scottsdale’s Farmers’ Market

OPINION — I agree the farmers’ market’s new location is pretty terrific. For the vendors and the buyers. But I was there for the initiation of the Farmers’ Market in Old Town years …
Amy Carney

Why experience matters in the Scottsdale school board election

OPINION — Experience matters when making decisions that shape the future of our schools. But not all experience is the same. I'm a mother of six children, all educated in Scottsdale Unified …
Maria Wojtczak

Beyond the driving test: Helping Arizona teens become safer drivers

OPINION — Getting a driver’s license means freedom for teenagers, but for parents, it can bring fear and anxiety. In 2024, 2,320 teen drivers ages 15 to 18 died in auto crashes and more than 80,000 were injured.
Photo Caption

Question of the Week: Does your family participate in Halloween traditions and fun?

There was a time when nothing signaled the onset of autumn like Halloween, the annual cultural celebration observed on Oct. 31, which features trick-or-treating, wearing costumes and carving …

Read more

SCOTTSDALE EDUCATION

Scottsdale’s International School of Arizona chooses new head of school

About 150 people came out Oct. 6 to hear the Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board vote to close Copper Ridge K-8 School and Laguna Prep next year as a money saving venture.

SUSD to close Copper Ridge K-8 and Laguna Prep schools

Copper Ridge K-8 School and Laguna Prep will close at the end of the current school year. The Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board voted 3-2 on Oct. 6 to close the two schools as …
Incumbent Amy Carney and new comers Jeanne Beasley and Dr. Jennifer Johnson are running for two seats on the Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board that are up for grabs in the Nov. 3 election.

Three candidates seek two SUSD Governing Board seats

Editor’s note: This story originally ran July 9. The Daily Independent is running the story again to refresh voters’ memories about the candidates. One incumbent and two new comers are …
(from left) Jeanne Beasley, Amy Carney and Dr. Jennifer Johnson have all confirmed they will participate in a Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board candidate forum Oct. 7.

Scottsdale Parent Council to host school board candidate forum

The public is invited to a free Scottsdale Unified School District candidate forum noon, Oct. 7, at the Horizon Community Center, 15444 N. 100th St., in Scottsdale. Only the first 50 members of …
Student in the Innovation Center at Mohave Middle School.

Mohave Middle School to showcase STEM programs Oct. 27

Mohave Middle School will host its Math & Science Academy Night from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Oct. 27, giving families and community members a look at the school’s STEM programs.
Arizona schools continue to face difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified special education teachers, while traditional teacher preparation can create financial barriers for people who cannot afford to leave paid employment to complete classroom training.

Arizona expands earn-while-you-learn path for special education teachers

Arizona is putting $5 million into an effort to build its special education teacher workforce from within schools, creating paid pathways that allow paraprofessionals and other aspiring educators to …
High School Sports
NDP gathers between sets in the match against Chaparral on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (Az Newsmedia/Brittany Bowyer)

Top-ranked Saints take down no. 3 Chaparral Volleyball

SCOTTSDALE — In front of a packed gym, the top-ranked Notre Dame Prep Saints defeated the no. 3 Chaparral Firebirds 3-0 in volleyball. While the score may look cut and dry on paper, it was a much …
Xavier badminton player during the team's senior night match. (Courtesy Photo/Patty Kennedy Instagram Account)

North Valley Badminton teams prep for playoffs

PHOENIX — The AIA has released the playoff brackets for Badminton, and a handful of North Valley teams have made the cut. In Division I, Pinnacle comes in at no. 7 and will take on no. 10 …
Xavier Cross Country at the John Gleeson Lancer Invitational in Tucson over the weekend. (Courtesy Photo/Xavier CC Instagram account)

Xavier Cross Country wins John Gleeson Lancer Invitational

TUCSON — The Xavier Gators Cross Country team had a strong showing over the weekend at the John Gleeson Lancer Invitational in Tucson. The Gators took home first place as a team with an …
The Cactus Shadows Falcons gather as Assistant Coach Steve Belles addresses the team after the win over NDP. (Az Newsmedia/Brittany Bowyer)

Cactus Shadows Football crashes NDP’s homecoming party

SCOTTSDALE — Cactus Shadows Football got the best of the Notre Dame Prep Saints on Friday night, defeating them on the road 17-7. It was a big night for the Saints, who were celebrating both their …
The Navy National Combine will take place in San Antonio, TX from Thursday, Jan. 7 to Saturday, Jan. 9, 2027. (Courtesy Photo/Navy National Combine X account)

Chaparral’s Zevry Walker invited to Navy National Combine

SCOTTSDALE — Chaparral junior defensive end and tight end Zevry Walker has been invited to participate in the Navy National Combine. Walker was identified as one of the top underclassmen in …

Read more

Scottsdale Entertainment
The Scottsdale Symphonic Orchestra brings musicians from across the Valley together for live classical music performances at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.

Scottsdale Symphonic Orchestra kicks off fourth season with six-concert lineup

The Scottsdale Symphonic Orchestra has kicked off its 2026-27 season and has five more concerts planned through May, including a holiday performance and a program featuring music from “How to Train …
Through layered color, atmosphere and intuitive mark-making, Casey Wakefield’s abstract paintings invite viewers to slow down, look again, and consider their own perspective.

Scottsdale art gallery showing works by Casey Wakefield

Royse Contemporary, 7077 E. Main Street, Suite 6, is showing “Paintings in Perspective,” a solo exhibition by Casey Wakefield Oct. 29 through Nov. 29. This new collection explores the …
The Scottsdale Police Department is hosting a free trunk-or-treat at the Granite Reef Senior Center.

Scottsdale PD to host trunk-or-treat

The Scottsdale Police Department will host its fourth annual trunk-or-treat 5 - 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road. The free event is open to …
What goes together better than dogs and country music? Over 70 police dogs and their trainers will join forces with country music stars Kristen Merlin and Kylie Morgan to entertain goers to the 23rd Annual Desert Dog Police Canine Trials and Public Safety Expo at WestWorld of Scottsdale Oct. 24-25.

Over 70 police dogs to show their competition chops at WestWorld of Scottsdale

Over 70 service dogs from 30 police departments in six states will descend on WestWorld of Scottsdale Oct. 24-25. No, it’s not a new fire hydrant expo, but rather the 23rd annual Desert Dog …
Musician 1st Class Thomas Eby solos with the U.S. Navy Band Commodores jazz ensemble in a performance Oct. 27, 2017 at Texas Christian University's Ed Landreth Auditorium. Eby is a Glendale native

Glendale native returns to Valley with Navy jazz band

Glendale native Musician 1st Class Thomas Eby is returning to the Valley with the Navy Band Commodores jazz ensemble for two performances. Both concerts are free and open to the public.

Read more

Calendar of events
Thank You For Supporting Local Journalism